Combined Patient Handling and Surgical Positioning System for Use with Mechanical LIfts in the Operating Room

Abstract

The present invention provides a combined patient handling and surgical positioning system for use with a mechanical lift for positioning a patient on a surgical table. A pad assembly has a base with a top surface. The base has a plurality of handles attached thereto. The handles have openings defined therein. A foam top is fixedly mounted to the top surface of the base. At least one strap is attached to the pad assembly. The pad assembly is configured to prevent bunching when lifting or repositioning the patient during surgical table positioning changes required during surgery and the pad assembly is configured for movement in multiple directions during surgery. An elongate support member is configured to extend through the openings in the plurality of handles on the pad assembly. A plurality of lifting slings are configured to removably attach to the elongate support bar to the mechanical lift in a surgical theater.

1 . A combined patient handling and surgical positioning system for use with a mechanical lift for positioning a patient on a surgical table, the apparatus comprising:
 a pad assembly having a base with a top surface, the base having a plurality of handles attached thereto, the handles having openings defined therein, a foam top fixedly mounted to the top surface of the base, at least one strap attached to the pad assembly, wherein the pad assembly is configured to prevent bunching when lifting or repositioning the patient during surgical table positioning changes required during surgery, the pad assembly configured for movement in multiple directions during surgery;   at least one elongate support member configured to extend through the openings in the plurality of handles on the pad assembly;   a plurality of lifting slings configured to removably attach to the elongate support bar at a first end and configured to attach to the mechanical lift at a second end disposed opposite from the first end such that the system is configured for overhead lifting of the pad assembly and patient by the mechanical lift.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the foam top comprises a pneumatic foam or combination of pneumatic and standard polyurethane foams. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a plurality of layers of a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a reinforcing support sheet disposed between two of the layers of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing support sheet comprises a condensed foam or a biodegradable cardboard. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate support bar comprises at least one finger shaped projection spring biased toward the bar to receive and hold the first end of one of the plurality of lifting slings in position relative to the bar. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lifting slings have a first eye at the first end and have a second eye at the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , where the at least one finger shaped projection comprises a pair of first finger shaped projections disposed in a first direction and a second finger shaped projection extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second finger shaped projection disposed between the pair of first finger shaped projections. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the foam comprises a polyurethane foam having 1.8-6 PCF density with a 24-45 ILD (indentation load deflection). 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the strap further comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is configured to wrap around a bed rail. 
     
     
         12 . A combined patient handling and surgical positioning system for use with a mechanical lift for positioning a patient on a surgical table, the apparatus comprising:
 a pad assembly having a base with a top surface, the base having a plurality of handles attached thereto, the handles having openings defined therein, a high friction coefficient foam top fixedly mounted to the top surface of the base, at least one strap attached to the pad assembly;   a reinforcing support sheet disposed in the pad assembly;   wherein the base, high friction coefficient foam pad and reinforcing support sheet are configured to prevent bunching when lifting or repositioning the patient during interstation surgical table positioning changes required during surgery, and the pad assembly is configured for movement in multiple directions during surgery;   at least one elongate support member configured to extend through the openings in the plurality of handles on the pad assembly;   a plurality of lifting slings configured to removably attach to the elongate support bar at a first end and configured to attach to the mechanical lift at a second end disposed opposite from the first end.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the base further comprises a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the base further comprises a spun-melt-spun material. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing layer is a foam configured to prevent laxity of the pad and bunching when lifting a patient by hand or with a mechanical lift. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing layer is cardboard. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the system can be used with a mechanical lift to move a patient from a stretcher or from an in-patient bed or surface and is configured to lift adult weights from 80 to 1,000 pounds. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the pad assembly further comprises upper and lower wing members to facilitate arm adduction and to support the arms and hands of the patient off of the end of the surgical table when lithotomy is required.